Michelangelo's sculptures. The ancient Greek temples. Castle interiors and palaces. The iconic Barcelona Pavilion of Mies van der Rohe. When we approach the history of architecture and sculpture, it is inevitable that we speak of marble. Originating from a chemical reaction in limestone when exposed to high pressures and temperatures for thousands of years, this notable material is a metamorphic rock generally found in regions where volcanic activity has occurred. Its extraction, by itself, is already a spectacle.

The extraction process takes place in nature reserves in large rocky mountains and is executed by professional teams and equipment specific to the activity. The first piece of rock extracted is called a bench or board and is about 12 meters long x 6 m high x 1.80 wide. From it are cut out smaller blocks, approximately 3 m x 1.8 m x 1.8 m, which will later be sliced into smaller thicknesses for the manufacture of countertops, floors, cladding, and other objects. Although marble extraction leaves a significant environmental impact, almost everything extracted is eventually used used. Large parts are used for bigger, more expressive projects, while surplus pieces can be used in the formulation of paving blocks or for the manufacture of granilites and marmorites. Even marble powder can be used to increase the physical properties of structural blocks.

With its characteristic veins and many potential shades, including white, gray, pink, green, and black, marble continues to impress today and is used in civil construction for interior coverings, floors, benches and some facades. Its aesthetic prominence has gained such heights that some patterns of porcelain and other materials that seek to imitate the design of marble are quite popular.

It is very common for marble to be confused with granite, which is an igneous or magmatic rock and results from the consolidation of cooling molten magma. While marble has veins, granite sports a more grainy appearance. Another important difference is that marble is a more porous material, absorbing more moisture.

Because marble is a natural material, it is precisely its designs, colors, and patterns that make it so desired. Its price varies with the rarity and exclusivity of the colors.

Check out a selection of projects that use marble in different architectural elements.